Lowering apparatus



May 12, 1931. w o -r 1,805,177

Y LOWERING APPARATUS Filed May 28, 1930 ZSheets-Sheet 1 Altomey May 12, 1931. w HQDNETT v 1,805,177

LOWERING APPARATUS Filed May 28, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Q Q Q Q Invenlor Ilomey Patented May 12, 1931 STATES PATENT OFFICE TN'ILLIAM HODNETT, OF FILLMORE, NEV] YORK LOVIERING APPARATUS Application filed May 28,

The present invention relates to an apparatus for lowering potatoes, vegetables and any articles which might easily become bruised from falling or rough handling and the prime object of the invention resides in the provision of an apparatus of this nature which is exceedingly simple in its construction, inexpensive to manufacture, strong and durable, thoroughly etficient and reliable in use and operation, and otherwise well adapted to the purpose for which it is designed.

With the above and numerous other objects in View as will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in certain novel features of construction, and in the combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

In the drawings;

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the apparatus embodying the features of my invention,

Figure 2 is a longitudinal section therethrough,

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the upper portion of the apparatus opposite to that shown in Figure 1,

Figure 4 is a transverse section taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Figure 1, and

Figure 5 is a detail section taken substantially on the line 5-5 of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings in detail it will be seen that the numeral 5 denotes a pair of spaced parallel coextensive sides which incline downwardly from a hopper 6 to which they are attached by suitable means 7. A longitudinal plate 8 is disposed between the lower portions of the sides 5. Rollers 9 and 10 are journalled at the lower and upper ends of the plate 8 between the sides 5 and have an endless belt 11 trained thereover. Pulleys 12 and 14 are journalled between the sides 5 one above the lower end of the plate 8 and the other adjacent the bottom of the hopper 6 and an endless belt 15 is trained over these pulleys 12 and 14.

Pressure rollers 16 are journalled in bearings 17 slidable in slots 18 in the sides 5 and urged downwardly by springs 19. The roller 14 is journalled through arcuate slots 20 in 1930. Serial No. 456,555.

the sides 5 and the trunnions of the roller 14 is journalled in the ends of arms 21 rockably mounted as at 22 on the side 5 and urged downwardly by springs 28. A motor 26 is mounted on a platform 27 on the upper portion of onev of the sides 5 and is operatively connected with the roller 9 through a belt and pulley mechanism 30. A belt and pulley mechanism 31, in which the belt has its runs crossed operatively connect the roller 12 with the roller 9. p

It is to be noted also that the roller 12 has its trunnions mounted in a similar manner to the roller 14.

Thus it will be seen that the upper endless belt 15 is yieldably mounted in respect to the lower endless belt to accommodate the potatoes or the like being conveyed downwardly.

In the present illustration of the invention I have shown a platform 40 with an opening therein through which the hopper projects. A wheel 41 on a bracket 42 from the upper ends of the sides 5 is ridable on an annular track 43 carried by hangers 44 from the platform 40. Hangers 45 carry a larger annular (5 track 46 on which is ridable a wheel 47 our nalled in a bracket 48 from which depends a rod 49 engaged with the lower portions of the sides 5. Thus the apparatus may be swung around to the desired position depending upon where it is desired to dump the potatoes or the like which are being conveyed downwardly. It will be noted that the potatoes or the like are conveyed clownwardly in a gentle manner and because of the S5 yieldable association of the upper endless belt with a lower endless belt there is no danger of injuring the potatoes or the like in conveying them downwardly.

It is thought that the construction, operation, utility and advantages of this invention will now be quite apparatent to those skilled in this art without a more detailed description thereof.

The present embodiment of the invention has been disclosed in considerable detail merely for the purposes of exemplification since in actual practice it attains the features of advantage enumerated as desirable in the statement of the invention and the above description.

It will be apparent that changes in the details of construction, and in the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to Without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed or sacrificing any of its advantages.

Having thus described my invention, What 1:: I claim as new is:

1. In an apparatus for lowering produce, a frame including a pair of spaced parallel inclined side pieces, an upper and a lower endless belt carried by and arranged between the side pieces, the up 381 belt ending short of the lower belt at its top terminal, ahop per carried by and arranged between theside pieces terminating between the top terminals of said belts for introducing produce therebetween, and spring pressed rollers carried by said side pieces engaging the inner run of the top belt for urging said run toward the adjacent run of the lower belt, all of the spring pressed rollers'being spaced from the a"; top terminal of the upper belt to permit the proper introduction of the produce between the belts from said hopper.

2. In an apparatus for lowering produce,

a frame including a pair of spaced parallel inclined side pieces, an upper and alower endless belt carried by and arranged between the side pieces, the upper belt ending short of the lower belt at its top terminal, a] hopper carried by and arranged between the side pieces terminating between the top terminals of said belts, a stationary inner and outer circular track, rollers carried by the upper ends of the side pieces mounted upon the inner circular track, rollers mounted upon the outer circular track, dependingrods carried by the last mentioned rollers and connected with the side pieces adjacent to their lower terminals.

In testimony whereof I ai'liX my signature.

,zii WILLIAM I-IODNETT.

Lil 

